U.S. patent application number 12/869014 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for multi element biased suture clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to ABBOTT LABORATORIES. Invention is credited to Steven C. Anderson.
Application Number | 20100324598 12/869014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32325565 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100324598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Steven C. |
December 23, 2010 |
MULTI ELEMENT BIASED SUTURE CLIP
Abstract
A suture clamp comprising a plurality of elements positioned
together in a row, each element of the plurality of elements having
a lower portion separated from an upper portion by a flexible neck,
each element of the plurality of elements including a slot having
an outwardly facing opening, the slots from the plurality of
elements configured to accept a suture element through the row of
elements and secure the suture element. A method of clamping a
suture, including applying a biasing force to at least one element
into the first position to provide access to the outwardly facing
opening of the slot, passing the suture through a tissue layer,
receiving the suture into the slot through the outward facing
opening, and removing the biasing force to form a tortuous path
between adjacently positioned elements of the plurality of
elements.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Steven C.;
(Mountain View, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER
1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER,, 60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Abbott Park
IL
|
Family ID: |
32325565 |
Appl. No.: |
12/869014 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11461323 |
Jul 31, 2006 |
7806910 |
|
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12869014 |
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|
10305923 |
Nov 26, 2002 |
7108710 |
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11461323 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/202 20150115;
Y10T 24/3929 20150115; Y10T 24/3936 20150115; A61B 2017/0488
20130101; A61B 17/0487 20130101; A61B 2017/0454 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/232 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/04 20060101
A61B017/04 |
Claims
1. A suture clamp comprising a plurality of elements positioned
together in a row, each element of the plurality of elements having
a lower portion and an upper portion, the plurality of elements
defining a slot sized to accept a suture element through the row of
elements when at least one of the elements is in a first position
and secure the suture element within the slot in a second position,
adjacently positioned upper portions of the elements of the
plurality of elements being in alternating and at least partially
overlapping orientation one to another along a longitudinal length
of the row without the suture element disposed within the slot.
2. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein each element of
the plurality of elements has the same configuration.
3. The suture clamp according to claim 1, further comprising a
flexible neck disposed between the upper portion and the lower
portion.
4. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein the slot is
configured to receive a second suture element.
5. The suture clamp according to claim 1, wherein pairs of said
plurality of elements are orientated in the same direction
longitudinally along the row of elements.
6. A suture clamp comprising a plurality of elements positioned
together in a row, each element of the plurality of elements having
a lower portion separated from an upper portion by a flexible neck,
each element of the plurality of elements including a slot having
an outwardly facing opening, the slots from the plurality of
elements configured to accept a suture element through the row of
elements when at least one of the elements is in a first position
and secure the suture element when at least one of the elements a
second position.
7. The suture clamp according to claim 6, wherein the flexible
element is in the first position when biased.
8. The suture clamp according to claim 6, wherein the suture clamp
is constructed of shape memory material.
9. The suture clamp according to claim 6, wherein each said element
of said plurality of elements is movable independently of the
remainder of the plurality of elements.
10. The suture clamp according to claim 6, further comprising a
suture guide disposed on one side of a pair of elements of the
plurality of elements and a rail guide disposed on an opposite side
of the pair of elements of the plurality of elements.
11. The suture clamp according to claim 10, wherein the suture
guide further comprises a biased, slidable lock.
12. The suture clamp according to claim 10, wherein each of the
suture guide and the rail guide include an opening slot, the
opening slot is not co-linear with the slots of the plurality of
elements.
13. The suture clamp according to claim 12, wherein the opening
slot of the suture guide is configured to receive two suture
element portions.
14. A method of clamping a suture passing through a tissue layer
with a suture clamp system comprising a plurality of elements
positioned together in a row, each element of the plurality of
elements having a lower portion separated from an upper portion by
a flexible neck, each element of the plurality of elements
including a slot having an outwardly facing opening, the slots from
the plurality of elements configured to accept a suture element
through the row of elements when at least one of the elements is in
a first position and secure the suture element when at least one of
the elements a second position, the method comprising: applying a
biasing force to at least one element into the first position to
provide access to the outwardly facing opening of the slot, passing
the suture through a tissue layer, receiving the suture into the
slot through the outward facing opening, and removing the biasing
force to form a tortuous path between adjacently positioned
elements of the plurality of elements as the at least one element
moves from the first position to the second position.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein applying the biasing
force comprises using a biasing device to bias the at least one
element and removing the biasing force comprises slidably advancing
the row of elements through a biasing device.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the receiving step
comprises receiving two sutures into the slot.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein applying the biasing
force comprises biasing in a direction transverse to a length of
the row.
18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising displacing
a suture lock from a first lock position to a second lock position
displaced from the first lock position and transverse to the at
least one element.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the suture lock is
biased to return to the first lock position.
20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising securing
the row of elements to the suture.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/461,323, filed Jul. 31, 2006, and entitled
"Multi Element Biased Suture Clip", which is a continuation
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/305,923, filed
Nov. 26, 2002, and entitled "Multi Element Biased Suture Clip", now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,710, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to systems for securing a pair
of suture lengths together or for using a single strand of suture
to secure tissues together at an operative site in a patient
without necessarily tying a knot.
[0004] 2. The Relevant Technology
[0005] Sutures are used to sew tissue together, and thereby close
tissue openings, cuts or incisions during or after any of a very
wide variety of medical procedures. Typically, the surgeon manually
ties together a suture pair to close the opening; however,
automatic suture tying systems have also been developed.
[0006] There are a number of disadvantages of knotting sutures
together to secure tissues to one another. For example, manual knot
tying requires considerable dexterity. Also, manual knot tying can
take considerable time. Knot tying is further complicated by the
fact that surgical sutures have low friction surfaces. Therefore,
it is typically necessary for a surgeon to include many "throws"
when tying the knot. This multiple-throw problem occurs even if an
automatic knot tying device is used. Unfortunately, as the number
of loops or "throws" incorporated into the knot increase, the knot
becomes increasingly large and bulky. Moreover, the surgeon
typically needs to handle strands of adequate suture length prior
to commencing manual knot tying. Thus, manual knot tying requires
considerable space both in which to view, and to perform, the
actual suture knot tying. Therefore, knot tying is particularly
difficult in areas of limited available space or access, such as,
for example, at the back of the patient's heart during a coronary
artery bypass graft (CABG) operation, or at the artery in the
tissue tract after a femoral artery catheterization procedure.
Manually tied knots often lock prior to reaching the intended
amount of tension to be applied to the tissue. Furthermore, tissues
are typically secured together by a pair of sutures wherein each of
the sutures in the pair pass through both of the tissues which are
then secured together by tying off the suture pair. It would
instead be advantageous to provide a system which is adapted to
secure tissue with suture, but without necessarily tying a
knot.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a suture
clamping system. The present suture clamping system can be used to
clamp a suture pair, or to use a single strand of suture to secure
tissues together. In one embodiment, a plurality of elements define
a slot sized to accept a suture element through the row of elements
when at least one of the elements is in a first position, and
wherein a tortuous path is formed through the row of elements when
at least one of the elements is in a second position.
[0008] In various embodiments, the slot is generally parallel to
the length of the row. In various embodiments, the at least one of
the elements is a flexible element which is in the second position
when not biased, and which moves into the first position when
biased. In various embodiments, the direction in which the flexible
element is biased is generally transverse to the length of the
row.
[0009] In various embodiments, the present invention comprises a
plurality of adjacent flexible elements connected together in a
row. The elements are biased to first positions which define an
opening slot along the row of elements. A tortuous path is formed
through the elements when the elements are not biased.
[0010] Still other embodiments may also include a
biasing/positioning device which is used to bias and hold the row
of elements in the first position (at which time an opening is
defined along the top of the row for receipt of the suture length
or suture pair therein). Preferably, the biasing device is slidably
received around the row of elements such that as the biasing force
is removed, (e.g.: as the row of elements are slidably pushed or
otherwise advanced through the biasing device), the elements then
move to a non-biased position (at which time a tortuous path is
formed along through the row of elements). Thus, a suture pair can
effectively be clamped or "fastened" together when the sutures are
held in such a tortuous path. Features of the present invention
allow a physician to completely avoid manual suture knot tying.
Therefore, the bulky multiple loops or "throws" required when knot
tying can be minimized or eliminated. Instead, the suture pair is
simply "clamped" or held together between the flexible
elements.
[0011] Alternatively, the present system can be clamped onto a
single suture and can thus act as an anchor preventing movement of
a tissue layer along a single suture strand. Specifically, when
using only a single strand of suture, the suture is clamped so that
it does not move with respect to the clamping system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single flexible
element.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of row of flexible elements as
individually illustrated in FIG. 1, with the elements in a
non-biased position, forming a tortuous path therethrough.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an end view of the row of flexible elements as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of row of flexible elements as
individually illustrated in FIG. 1, with the elements biased into a
first position such that an opening slot forms along the top of the
row.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective end view of the row of flexible
elements as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the row of flexible
elements as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate design of a row
of flexible elements, with the elements in a non-biased position,
forming a tortuous path therethrough.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the row of elements of FIG.
7, with the elements biased into a first position such that an
opening slot forms along the top of the row.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective end view of a dual rail biasing
device slidably received over the row of flexible elements, with
the elements in a non-biased position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0021] FIG. 10 is in a view similar to FIG. 9, but including as
suture pair received in the slot formed through the row of
elements.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective end view of the row of flexible
elements after it has been pushed fully through the dual rail
biasing device, such that the elements return to a non-biased
position, trapping the suture pair in a tortuous path therein, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a top plan view corresponding to FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention having two non-flexible elements with a single
flexible element positioned therebetween.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention further comprising a suture guide assembly, a pair of
flexible suture capture elements and a rail guide.
[0026] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the invention
shown in FIG. 14.
[0027] FIG. 16A is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 14 in a closed position.
[0028] FIG. 16B is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 14 in an open position.
[0029] FIG. 17A is a rear view of the suture guide assembly in a
closed position (corresponding to FIG. 16A).
[0030] FIG. 17B is a rear view of the suture guide assembly in an
open position (corresponding to FIG. 16B).
[0031] FIG. 18A is a front view of a pair of suture capture
elements in a non-biased position.
[0032] FIG. 18B is a front view of a pair of suture capture
elements in a biased position, thus forming a suture opening
therethrough.
[0033] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the device of FIG. 14,
positioned on a pair of rails prior to deployment.
[0034] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but with the device
advanced to a position such that the rails cause the device to open
to receive a suture pair therein.
[0035] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20, but with the device
advanced to a position such that the suture guide assembly projects
beyond the distal ends of the rails, showing the suture guide
assembly locking onto the suture pair.
[0036] FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but with the entire
device advanced beyond the distal ends of the pair of rails,
showing the suture capture elements locking onto the suture
pair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] In accordance with the present invention, a suture clamping
system is provided. In preferred aspects, the suture clamping
system comprises a plurality of individual flexible elements
positioned together in a row. In various preferred embodiments, the
individual flexible elements are shaped the same. Optionally, the
row of elements is formed by positioning successive identically
shaped elements adjacent to one another. It is to be understood,
however, that the individual elements in the row need not be
identical in shape to one another. It is also to be understood that
the individual elements need not be positioned in direct "touching"
contact side-by-side with one another, but may instead be
positioned some distance apart from one another. As will also be
explained, various embodiments of the invention may include rows of
elements including both flexible and non-flexible elements. In
fact, in one embodiment, only one flexible element is required.
[0038] One or more of these elements are preferably biased in a
direction transverse to the length of the row. When biased, one or
more flexible elements move to a first position at which the
elements define a slot along the length of the row. The slot is
specifically sized to receive a suture therein. When not biased,
the one or more flexible elements return to a second (non-biased)
position. When in a non-biased position, the elements form a
tortuous path for the suture received therein.
[0039] FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an
exemplary positioning/biasing device for use with various
embodiments of a suture clamp. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of
the invention having only one flexible element. FIGS. 14 to 18B
show component parts of an embodiment of the device having a suture
guide assembly, a pair of flexible suture capture elements, and a
rail guide. FIGS. 19 to 22 show sequential steps in the deployment
of the embodiment of the device shown FIGS. 14 to 18B.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a single clamping
element 10. Element 10 has a lower portion 11, a neck 12, and an
upper portion 13. A slot 14 is defined by upper portion 13. Also,
an optional projection 15 extends longitudinally from upper portion
13. As will be explained, projections 15 provide contact surfaces
between adjacent elements such that the elements may rest against
one another when in a non-biased (second) position. It is to be
understood that projections 15 are optional and that various
embodiments of the present invention do not require projections 15
to operate.
[0041] Element 10 is preferably fabricated from a unitary block of
Nitinol or other suitable flexible or elastic material, including
various plastics and metals. Photochemical machining or other known
techniques may be used to form element 10. Most preferably, each
element 10 will be dimensioned to about 1 mm in height.
[0042] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of flexible
elements 10 (i.e.: 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, etc.) can be positioned
side-by-side forming row 20. Preferably, lower portions 11 of the
successive elements 10 are positioned adjacent to one another such
that their projections 15 interlock with upper portions 13 of
adjacent elements (as shown in FIG. 2). Lower portions 11 of the
successive elements 10 may optionally be connected together
(side-by-side) by a variety of techniques, including fusion bonding
and adhesives. Alternatively, lower portions 11 of the successive
elements 10 may optionally be spaced some distance apart from one
another (not shown).
[0043] In another embodiment, elements 10 may each optionally
comprise a pair of holes 16 (see FIG. 1) such that elements 10A,
10B, 10C, 10D, can be positioned on rods 30 and 32, or a similar
mounting element or structure.
[0044] In accordance with the present invention, a biasing force
("F" in FIG. 3) is applied to the upper portions of each of
elements 10. Biasing force F is applied in a direction generally
transverse to the length of the row. Thus, as can be seen, force F
will squeeze row 20 from its sides. The bottom portions 11 of each
of elements 10 are held in a constant position with respect to one
another. Alternatively, an embodiment of the present invention may
include a single unitary bottom portion (as opposed to the
illustrated plurality of separate bottom portions 11). Thus, the
device which comprises the row of elements can be machined or
molded out of a solid block of material such that the elements have
a common bottom portion (for example, as illustrated in FIG. 13).
Having a thin neck 12, the upper portions 13 of each of elements 10
will tend to move apart in a direction transverse to the row of
elements as biasing force F is applied.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, when a sufficiently strong biasing
force F is applied, elements 10 move to a first position in which a
slot 22 forms along the top of row 20. (i.e. when adjacent slot
defining features 14 in successive elements 10 are in alignment).
At this time a pair of sutures 40 and 42 (see FIG. 10) can be
positioned within slot 22. When force F is removed, elements 10
will naturally tend to return to their non-biased (or possibly
biased against one another) position, at which time an upper
portion 13A of a first element (10A) will abut against projection
15B of upper portion 13B of a second element (10B), as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0046] The flexible elements which are used to form the suture
clamping device can be made in a variety of different shapes. For
example, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a row 200 of flexible elements
100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, etc. are used to form a suture
clamping device. Specifically, as shown in the non-biased position
(i.e. FIG. 7), elements 100 each have a lower portion 110, a neck
120 and an upper portion 130. Upper portion 130 has a slot defining
features 140 formed therein. As can be seen, element 110 is formed
such that its neck 120 holds upper portion 130 (and slot defining
features 140) at an angle when in the non-biased (FIG. 7)
position.
[0047] Thus, when a squeezing force F is applied against flexible
elements 100 on either side of row 200, elements will be biased
into the position shown in FIG. 8 wherein the slot-defining
features 140 of successive elements are positioned in alignment
with one another to form a slot 122. A pair of sutures 40 and 42
can then be placed into slot 122. When the biasing force F is
released, elements 110 will tend to move back to the position shown
in FIG. 7, thus forming a tortuous path for sutures 40 and 42,
passing therethrough.
[0048] In an alternate embodiment, the elements are formed such
that a suture slot is instead formed when the elements are in their
non-biased position. In such an embodiment, the application of a
biasing force would move the elements into a position such that the
tortuous suture path is formed therethrough. After the elements
have been biased to move into positions forming the tortuous suture
path therethrough, a clip or other fastening device can be used to
hold the elements in the biased position, with the tortuous suture
path passing therethrough.
[0049] Sutures 40 and 42 may preferably comprise opposite ends of a
continuous suture loop which has been used to suture together an
anastomosis graft or to close a hole in a blood vessel or other
tissue wall, or to anchor one or more suture elements.
Alternatively, sutures 40 and 42 may comprise ends of separate
suture strands which are fastened (i.e. clamped) together by
present invention.
[0050] In accordance with preferred aspects of the present
invention, a method for clamping a suture pair is also provided.
Preferably, this method includes biasing the row of adjacent
flexible elements 10 (i.e.: applying force F) so that elements 10
move to the position (as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6) in which an opening
slot 22 is formed therethrough. Preferably, this biasing force is
applied in a direction transverse to the length of the row. Then,
suture pair 40 and 42 is received into opening slot 22. Then,
biasing force F is removed such that the adjacent flexible elements
10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, etc., move to positions which hold the suture
pair in a tortuous path (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Similarly, as
seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the present method may comprise: biasing the
row of adjacent flexible elements 100 (i.e.: applying force F) so
that elements 100 move to the first position (as shown in FIG. 9)
in which an opening slot 122 is formed there along. Then, suture
pair 40 and 42 is received into opening slot 122. Then, biasing
force F is removed such that the adjacent flexible elements 100A,
100B, 100C, 100D, etc., move or spring back to positions which hold
the suture pair in a tortuous path (as shown in FIG. 7).
[0051] The present method will be explained by reference to a dual
rail positioning/biasing device shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, as
follows.
[0052] A biasing device 50 may be provided as part of the present
suture clamping system. In one embodiment, biasing device 50
comprises two rails 51 and 52 which are parallel to one another
over two regions, and angled with respect to one another over
another region. Specifically, as seen in FIG. 9, rails 51 and 52
are parallel with respect to one another in regions 54 and 58 and
are angled with respect to one another in region 56. As also seen
in FIG. 9, a push rod 60 is used to successively push elements 10A,
10B, 10C and 10D distally from region 58, and then through regions
56 and 54.
[0053] From the position shown in FIG. 9, push rod 60 is advanced
such that row 20 of elements 10 is pushed into region 54 (as shown
in FIG. 10) wherein rails 51 and 52 are positioned closer together,
such that individual slot defining features 14 are put into
alignment (forming slot 22 along the length of row 20). As shown in
FIG. 10, a suture pair 40, 42 can then be positioned within slot
22. Lastly, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, row 20 is pushed out of
the distal end of biasing device 50. As shown in FIG. 12, the
biasing force on the sides of row 20 is removed such that elements
10A, 10B, 10C and 10D return to their non-biased position, thus
forming a tortuous path for suture pair 40 and 42 passing
therethrough.
[0054] As stated above, the present invention may comprise a
plurality of flexible elements. It is to be understood, however,
that embodiments of the invention may also comprise non-flexible
elements, or various combinations of flexible and non-flexible
elements. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a row 300 of elements
(which may optionally have a single unitary base 310) may have a
single flexible element 300B disposed between (or otherwise
adjacent to) non-flexible elements 300A and 300C. When a biasing
force F is applied to the sides of the device, flexible element
300B will move to a position such that elements 300A, 300B and 300C
will be placed in alignment. Then, a suture, or suture pair can
easily be threaded through opening slots 340A, 340B and 340C. When
biasing force F is removed, element 300B will tend to spring back
into the position shown in FIG. 13, thereby forming a tortuous
path, firmly holding the suture(s) therein.
[0055] FIGS. 14 to 18B show an alternate embodiment of the present
invention that includes a suture clamp assembly 500 including a
suture guide assembly 502, a pair of flexible elements 510A and
510B and a rail guide 520. Suture guide assembly 502 includes a
suture guide 503 and a suture lock 504. As can be seen in FIGS. 16A
to 17B, suture lock 504 is movable with respect to suture guide
503, thus permitting a suture or suture pair to be inserted
therebetween, and then clamped, as follows. As shown in FIGS. 16A
and 17B, suture lock 504 is initially position adjacent to suture
guide 503 (by the action of spring 505). When using the device, the
end of suture lock 504 which extends in to cavity 521 in rail guide
520 is pushed. Such force compresses spring 505 so that suture lock
504 moves to the position shown in FIGS. 16B and 17B, thereby
opening passageway 506, permitting a suture, or suture pair to be
inserted therein. Thereafter, the force can be removed from the end
of suture lock 504 which extends in to cavity 521 such that, spring
505 expands and suture lock 504 returns to the position shown in
FIGS. 16A and 17A, thereby trapping a suture or suture pair in
passageway 506.
[0056] Behind suture guide assembly 502 are positioned one or more
flexible elements which are used to capture a suture or suture
pair. These flexible elements operate in the same manner as the
"row of flexible elements" described with regard to other
embodiments herein. Specifically, flexible elements 510A and 510B
have a non-biased position as shown in FIG. 18A. When a biasing
force is applied to the underside of projections 511, flexible
elements 510A and 510B move to the positions shown in FIG. 18B, at
which time their slots 512 move into alignment with one another.
When slots 512 of flexible elements 510A and 510B are positioned in
alignment, a suture or suture pair can be received therein. Then,
the biasing forces can be removed from projections 511, causing the
flexible elements to move towards the position shown in FIG. 18A,
thereby forming a tortuous path for a suture passing therethrough.
It is to be understood that the present invention encompasses
embodiments with more than two flexible suture capture elements
510, or even as few as one flexible and one non-flexible
element.
[0057] In optional preferred aspects, both the suture guide 503 and
the suture lock 504 are dimensioned such that the opening slot 507
(formed in passageway 506 in which the suture(s) are trapped) is
not co-linear with the opening slots 512 through flexible elements
510A and 510B. An advantage of opening slot 507 not being co-linear
with the path through opening slots 512 is that this further adds
to the tortuosity of the suture path through the device, and
permits more exact positioning of the device with respect to the
target tissue.
[0058] FIGS. 19 to 22 show the deployment of the embodiment of the
invention shown in FIGS. 14 to 18B, as follows. As shown in FIG.
19, suture clamp assembly 500 is initially positioned between rails
602, with a push rod 610 abutting against the rear of rail guide
520. Next, push rod 610 is used to advance the suture clamp
assembly 500 to the position shown in FIG. 20 where the spacing
between rails 602 narrows. Thus, one of the rails 602 will push on
the end of suture lock 504 in cavity 512 so that suture lock 504
moves apart from suture guide 503, as explained above. In addition,
advancing flexible elements 510A and 510B to the region where the
spacing of rails 602 narrows will move flexible elements 510A and
510B to their biased position (FIG. 18B). At this time, a pair of
sutures 40 and 42 can be received therein. Next, push rod 610 is
used to advance the suture clamp assembly 500 to the position shown
in FIG. 21 where suture guide assembly 502 is advanced beyond the
distal end of the rails 602. Accordingly, suture lock 504 moves
back into position against suture guide 503, thereby trapping
sutures 40 and 42 therebetween. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 22, push
rod 610 is used to fully push assembly 500 out beyond the distal
end of rails 602. At this time, flexible elements 510A and 510B
spring back to their non-biased positions, thus forming a tortuous
path for sutures 40 and 42 passing therethrough. Accordingly, the
row of flexible elements 510A and 510B assist suture guide assembly
502 in clamping onto sutures 40 and 42, thereby operating as a
system which fastens the sutures together. In accordance with this
embodiment of the invention, the suture guide assembly 502 fastens
onto the suture (or suture pair) prior to flexible elements 510A
and 510B fastening onto the suture(s). The suture guide assembly
502 can be positioned immediately adjacent to the tissue target
site, if desired. After the suture guide assembly 502 has clamped
onto the suture(s), the flexible elements 510A and 510B will
sequentially clamp onto the suture(s), thereby taking up any slack
in the suture(s) from the proximal side of the device. In other
words, as each of the elements in the row of flexible elements is
sequentially pushed out from between rails 602, the flexible
elements will sequentially move to their non-biased positions,
drawing in suture through rail guide 520. Since the suture is
pulled in from the rail guide (i.e. the proximal) end of the
device, it will not pull on the suture(s) from the suture guide
assembly (i.e. the distal) end of the device. This minimizes
inadvertent pulling on the sutures at the target tissue location
(i.e. at the distal) end of the device).
[0059] The present system can be positioned directly adjacent to
the operative site at which it is desirable to secure the suture
pair. Specifically, the present system can be deployed without
pulling suture at the surgical site as the suture pair is secured
together. Rather, in preferred embodiments, as the present system
is deployed, it pulls in suture from end of the clamp positioned
away from the operative site. In contrast, manual or even automatic
knot tying systems may either result in a loose knot being
positioned at a small distance away from the operative site, or an
overly tight knot pulling excessively on the tissues.
[0060] In addition, the present system can minimize the extent to
which suture at the surgical site is pulled as it secures the
suture(s). As the present system is deployed, it simply tightens
together a suture pair at the operative site. In contrast, when
tying together a suture pair, it is typically difficult to tie a
knot very close to the operative site without excessively pulling
on the tissues being tied together.
[0061] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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